In the Department of Biology Graduate Program, students have the opportunity to pursue training in a variety of areas including complex diseases, cell and molecular biology, microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, neuroscience, physiology, plant biology, evolution, toxicology, and community health research. Curriculum information for graduate degrees can be found in theGraduate School Catalog and from our list of Course Descriptions.
Advanced studies within the biological sciences are leading to transformative insights into biological systems while also laying the foundation for applied, interdisciplinary research. The Bioscience concentration within the Applied Science and Technology PhD program provides students with exciting and valuable opportunities to develop expertise about biological systems and the methods and technologies used to investigate these systems. This program furthermore promotes the development of knowledge and experience in applied areas relating to the health of individuals and their communities, the environment, education, and industry. Major areas of research within the Bioscience concentration include cell and molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, physiology, neuroscience, evolutionary genomics, and systems biology. Students also have opportunities to develop expertise in how disciplinary knowledge and research can be leveraged to address societal challenges in other specific areas such as environmental health, health disparities, and STEM education. For more information on the AST PhD Bioscience concentration, please contact gradbio@ncat.edu or visit the AST PhD Program website.
The primary objective of the Masters of Science program in Biology is to prepare students to enter and complete doctoral and health professional programs in order to become productive teachers, researchers, and health professionals. To support this objective, this program will develop in all participants, through research experiences and other enrichment activities, independent thinking, creativity, critical judgment, and personal integrity. Specifically, this program is designed to enhance the student's ability to design experiments, to analyze results, to become competent using state-of-the-art research equipment, to enhance manipulative skills, and to improve the student's proficiency in oral and written communication. Students will have the opportunity to conduct research in various areas, including cancer research, diabetes research, molecular genetics, microbiology/immunology, genomics/bioinformatics, physiology, evolution, toxicology, and health disparities research.
The primary objective of the Applied Biomedical and Genomic Science Master’s concentration is to provide students with advanced didactic coursework and communication skills in biomedical and genomic sciences to prepare them for terminal degree and professional school programs in the biomedical and healthcare sectors. To support this objective, this program will develop all participants through training experiences and other enrichment activities, biomedical and scientific understanding, biomedical topics, and personal integrity. Specifically, this program is designed to enhance the students’ critical thinking skills, expand their knowledge in biomedical and genomic sciences, and improve their proficiency in oral and written communication. Students will have opportunities to enhance their understanding in the following biomedical research focus areas: genetics, microbiology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, physiology, evolution, toxicology, neuroscience, and health disparities.
The Department of Biology within the College of Science and Technology offers an Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) Degree Pathway that allow students to complete both the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in approximatelyfive years. Normally it would take studentssix yearsto complete both degrees. This degree pathway is designed for highly qualified students, allowing them to count up to twelve (12) credit hours towards both their undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. This specific pathway is for a Bachelor of Science in Biology to a Master of Science in Biology (Applied Biomedical and Genomic Science concentration). For more information, visit the Department of Biology Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Pathway program page.
